How to Make Your Period Come Faster: 8 Methods Explained
Only one method is medically proven. An honest breakdown with evidence ratings for each approach.
How to Delay Your Period: What Actually Works (and What Doesn't)
A holiday, a wedding, an important race, or simply not wanting to deal with it right now. There are plenty of reasons someone might want to push their period back a week. The good news: it's possible. The important news: only two methods are genuinely reliable — and several popular "natural" approaches have no evidence behind them at all.
This guide gives you the honest breakdown of every method, its evidence rating, how far in advance you need to plan, and who should avoid each one.
Quick answer
Two methods are medically proven to delay a period: (1) Norethisterone — a prescription progestogen tablet taken 3 days before your expected period, and (2) Pill-stacking — skipping the pill-free interval if you are already on the combined contraceptive pill. Ibuprofen in high doses may help reduce flow and delay by 1–2 days. All other "natural" methods lack clinical evidence.
Method Comparison at a Glance
| Method | Evidence | Max delay | Notice needed | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norethisterone | ★★★★★ | Up to 17 days | Start 3 days before | Prescription |
| Pill-stacking (combined pill) | ★★★★★ | Indefinite (with guidance) | Plan at start of pack | Prescription |
| Ibuprofen (high dose) | ★★★★★ | 1–3 days (inconsistent) | Day of period | Over the counter |
| Lemon juice / ACV | ★★★★★ | Not proven | — | No evidence |
| Gelatin / herbal methods | ★★★★★ | Not proven | — | No evidence |
Norethisterone — The Prescription Option
Norethisterone (Primolut N / Utovlan)
Evidence: ★★★★★ · Prescription required
Norethisterone is a synthetic progestogen — a man-made version of progesterone, the hormone that naturally prevents your uterine lining from shedding during the second half of your cycle. Taking it artificially maintains high progestogen levels, which tells the body it is still in the post-ovulation (luteal) phase. The lining does not shed as long as the tablets are continued.
How to take it: The standard dose is 5mg three times daily (so three tablets per day, evenly spaced). You must start it 3 days before your expected period — it will not stop a period that has already begun. It can be taken for a maximum of 17 days, giving a potential delay of up to 14 days. Your period will usually arrive 2–3 days after you stop taking it.
Start 3 days before expected period
Max 17 days of use
Period returns 2–3 days after stopping
Important: Norethisterone at this dose is not a contraceptive. If you are not on another form of contraception, you still need to use barrier contraception (e.g., condoms) while taking it.
Common side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, nausea, headaches, mood changes, and reduced libido. Some women also experience breakthrough spotting. These resolve once the medication is stopped.
Note: In many countries (UK, Australia, Canada) norethisterone can be prescribed by a GP or obtained via an online prescription service. In the US, equivalent medications (medroxyprogesterone / Provera) require a prescription. Plan at least one week ahead to allow time for the prescription.
Pill-Stacking — If You're Already on the Combined Pill
Combined pill — back-to-back packs
Evidence: ★★★★★ · Only for combined pill users
If you take a combined oral contraceptive pill (one that contains both oestrogen and progestogen — such as Microgynon, Rigevidon, Yasmin, or Cilest), you can delay your withdrawal bleed by simply skipping the hormone-free interval or the inactive (placebo) pill week at the end of the pack.
How to do it: When you finish the active pills in one pack, start the active pills of the next pack immediately the following day — without taking the 7-day break or the placebo pills. Your body will not experience the drop in hormone levels that triggers the withdrawal bleed, so no bleed occurs during that time.
No extra medication needed
Contraceptive protection maintained
Bleed resumes at next planned break
This is safe for most combined pill users and is widely endorsed by gynaecologists and sexual health bodies including the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). It does not reduce the pill's contraceptive effectiveness.
Some women experience breakthrough spotting when running two packs together, particularly in the third or fourth week of the extended pack — this is common and not a sign that something is wrong.
Important: This method only works with the combined pill (oestrogen + progestogen). The progestogen-only pill (POP / mini-pill) works differently and does not produce a reliable withdrawal bleed that can be postponed in this way. If you are unsure which pill you take, check the patient leaflet or ask your pharmacist.
Ibuprofen — A Partial Effect Only
Ibuprofen (high dose)
Evidence: ★★★★★ · Over the counter
Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that works by inhibiting prostaglandins — the compounds that trigger uterine contractions and increase blood flow during a period. At standard doses it reduces cramping and flow. At higher doses (800mg three times daily), some studies suggest it can reduce menstrual blood loss by up to 35% and may delay the onset of a period by 1–3 days in some women.
However, results are inconsistent. Ibuprofen is not designed to delay periods and will not work reliably for everyone. It is more useful as a flow-reducer or cramp-reliever than as a period-delaying strategy.
Take from the day period is expected
Always take with food
Max 5 days, not a reliable delay
Do not exceed 800mg per dose or 2,400mg per day. Ibuprofen at high doses can cause stomach ulcers, kidney strain, and raises blood pressure. It should be avoided by anyone with a history of stomach ulcers, kidney problems, asthma triggered by NSAIDs, or cardiovascular disease. Always take with food and plenty of water.
Natural Methods — The Honest Verdict
A number of natural methods circulate online as ways to delay a period. Here is the evidence-based verdict on each. None have been validated in clinical trials as reliable period-delaying methods.
Lemon juice
No clinical evidence it delays periods. Highly acidic (pH 2–3), it can damage tooth enamel if consumed in large amounts. The acidity may temporarily affect vaginal pH but does not suppress menstruation.
Apple cider vinegar
No scientific evidence it delays or stops periods. Claims are anecdotal only. Like lemon juice, it may cause tooth enamel erosion and digestive irritation in large quantities.
Gelatin
Based on the idea that gelatin "thickens" the uterine lining and slows flow. No biochemical basis for this. No controlled studies exist. Not recommended.
Intense exercise
Intense exercise can delay ovulation if done early in the cycle, but if your period is already due, it will not stop it. In fact, very intense exercise can worsen cramping during flow.
Herbal supplements
Shepherd's purse, yarrow, and similar herbs are sometimes cited. Evidence is anecdotal and some carry potential liver toxicity at high doses. They do not reliably delay periods.
Eating cold or spicy foods
A widespread myth with no physiological basis. Food temperature does not affect hormone levels or uterine lining shedding. This will not delay your period.
Who Should Not Delay Their Period
Delaying a period using hormonal methods is safe for most healthy women, but not for everyone. Seek medical advice before using norethisterone or pill-stacking if you have any of the following:
Do not use hormonal delay methods without medical advice if you have
- A history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (blood clots)
- A history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- Severe liver disease or a history of liver tumours
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding not yet investigated
- Known or suspected hormone-sensitive cancer (e.g., certain breast or endometrial cancers)
- Migraine with aura (combined pill contraindicated; norethisterone may be usable — ask a doctor)
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Possible pregnancy (a pregnancy test is advisable before starting norethisterone)
If you are unsure whether you are suitable, your GP, gynaecologist, or a pharmacist can advise within a short consultation. Many online prescription services now offer same-day norethisterone prescriptions, so planning one week ahead is usually sufficient.
Know your cycle before you delay it
Wamiga predicts your next period date so you know exactly when to start norethisterone — or when to plan around it.
